The Van Wert County Courthouse

Thursday, Jul. 9, 2026

Arraignments, sentencing hearings held

VW independent staff

Seven defendents were arraigned and three others sentenced on various charges during hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Arraignments

Shawna Clark, 49, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to assault, a fourth degree felony. She was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference set for 8:30 a.m. August 5.

Lorenzo Frye, 37, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to domestic violence and violating a protection order, both third degree felonies. He was released on a surety bond with electronic house arrest and a curfew, and was ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 5.

Kaden Ballard, 25, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference wsa scheduled for 8 a.m. August 5.

Karen Hemker, 58, of Delphos, pleaded not guilty to theft from a person in a protected class, a third degree felony. He was released on a surety bond with a pre-trial conference set for 8 a.m. August 5.

Ronnie Smith, 66, of Convoy, entered a not guilty plea to possession of a cocaine, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. August 5.

Jorel Longardner, of Churubusco, Indiana, entered a not guilty plea to possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 12.

Dominique Barrows, 33, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to having weapons while under disability, a third degree felony. Burrows was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 12.

Sentencings

Following a probation violation, Daniel Green, 50, of Van Wert was sentenced to 180 days in jail. He was given credit for 120 days already served and was ordered to pay court costs.

Following failure of intervention in lieu of conviction, Dustin Lehmkuhle, 37, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 180 days jail for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony. He was given credit for 98 days already served and was ordered to pay court costs.

Jason Mitchell, 52, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 60 days jail and was ordered to pay court costs for obstructing justice, a fifth degree felony.

POSTED: 07/08/26 at 8:44 pm. FILED UNDER: News